Process and device for the magnetic treatment of a fluid

ABSTRACT

A process and a device for the magnetic treatment of fluid as the fluid moves in successive magnetic fields, including a sheet having adjacent transverse bands each of the same width. Each band is charged with magnets oriented alternatively NS/SN or NNSS/SSNN perpendicularly to the plane of the sheet so that successive transverse bands adjacent to each other present upper polar faces alternately having polarities S, N, S, N . . . S,N or S,S, N,N, S,S, N,N, . . . S,S, N,N.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/844,669,filed as PCT/FR90/00733 Oct. 12, 1990, and now issued to DominiqueMERCIER as U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,536 on Nov. 15, 1994.

The present invention has for its object a process for the magnetictreatment of a fluid, to devices for carrying out this process and tocertain fluids treated by this process and/or these devices.

In the present Patent Application, "fluid" will designate any physicalform of products capable of flow, which covers liquids and gases, butalso super-critical fluids as well as products in intermediate statessuch as hardly viscous pastes, creams, products in the vitreous state,pulverulent products or mixed products such as solid pulverulentparticles in suspension in a gas or a liquid (fluidized bed for example)and in general all products presenting one or more phases but of whichthe overall behaviour is a behaviour of the fluid type in theconventional sense of the term, i.e. capable of flowing by any usualmeans such as gravity or a difference in pressure without it beingabsolutely necessary to employ an additional means of propulsion.Virtually, the invention is essentially applied to any fluid, in thesense which has just been defined, which, in the course of a natural orpossibly forced flow circulation, makes it possible to create a relativemovement between solid elements, fixed or not, and the constituents ofthe fluid, in particular the particles which constitute it or which itconveys. More precisely, the invention is based on the fact that theconstituents of one or more fluids, still in the sense which has justbeen defined, are capable of circulating in relative manner in magneticfields created by permanent magnets or by means creating by induction orby any other adequate means magnetic fields, such as for exampleelectromagnets.

It is known in the prior art that very diverse products are modified bycertain magnetic fields, whether it is question of electrically chargedproducts, such as ionized solutions, or products which are relativelyneutral electrically, such as micro-organisms in a fluid medium, organicor not. Among the innumerable varieties of actions exerted, it is wellknown that the magnetic fields act on the electrically non-neutralparticles and consequently on the electric currents. This is the verybase of the principles evidenced by Ampere and which are employed invery numerous apparatus and very numerous machines and in particular inelectrical rotating machines. It is also known that such fields act onthe fluid media in the sense which has been defined hereinabove.Generally, magnetic or electric, even electrostatic fields are used tomodify or induce charges and to create deviations, separations,decantations, modifications and other physical, mechanical or evenbiological phenomena.

Concerning more particularly certain neutral bodies, such asmicro-organisms or certain molecules, for the most part of biologicalorigin, the electromagnetic fields may modify them, which is the basisof very numerous techniques, such as liquid crystals, or ofbiotechnology techniques and making it possible, for example, to renderinactive certain micro-organisms. It is also known in the prior art thatthe magnetic fields may exert an action on solutions, in particular bymobilizing the ions that they contain; this principle has already beenused in devices for protecting networks for distributing water underpressure for domestic use.

The present invention has for its object to extend the domain ofapplication of these principles of magnetic treatment of fluids in orderto eliminate the detrimental properties of fluids in general and inparticular of water and of air which are the most current examples, forexample by tending to cancel the noxious effects of the compounds thatthey may convey in the state of solution, of suspension or the like, aswell as the micro-organisms that they may transport. This may concernphenomena as diverse as scaling by the mineral salts in solution in thewater which tend to be deposited and even to be incrusted, up to themicro-organisms in the water-distribution or air-conditioninginstallations which may propagate certain disorders in particular in thehuman being or in the other living beings which may be in contact withthese fluids. It is certain that, furthermore, many installations, andin particular domestic installations, are deteriorated by accumulationsof scale and other incrustations and by developments of colonies ofmicro-organisms generally in corners which are of difficult access forcleaning. The present invention will therefore preferably have animportant action on the solutions, suspensions, colloids and the like.It should be recalled on this subject that the use of electrostaticfields is well known in certain domains of treatment, particularly ofgases, for example in dust-removing devices. The present invention doesnot concern these electrostatic fields, but it essentially concernsmagnetic fields, including electromagnetic fields.

It will also be recalled that, as Ampere demonstrated, when an electriccurrent is created by displacement of a charged particle, such as anelectron or even an ion, any magnetic field will tend to deviate thecurrent resulting from this displacement. It will be recalled that, if anegative charge is displaced, it is conventionally considered that theelectric current goes in the direction opposite the displacement of thenegative charge and that, if the electric current passes in thedirection from the feet to the head of an observer, the magnetic fieldgoing from the rear to the front of this observer, the resultant forcetends, for the observer, to a displacement of the electric currenttowards the left. On the basis of this well known principle,. it istherefore known to determine the orientations that must be given tomagnetic fields of defined polarization to displace a current ofpositive or negative charges in one direction or in the oppositedirection. It is therefore simply for the man skilled in the art todefine the orientation to be given, for example, to a permanent magnetand therefore to the position of its North and South poles, for example,to move a flow of positive or negative charges away from the wall of arecipient.

However, experience has shown the Applicant of the present Applicationthat it was not sufficient, for example, to create a magnetic fieldtending to move the ions away from the wall of a tube or a recipient inorder to avoid scaling, especially if the latter is at least in partpre-existent. Conditions, which are at the basis of the presentinvention, are necessary.

Experience has also proved that, when a magnetic system for protecting awater distribution network is used, the anti-scaling characteristics ofthe water tend to disappear as soon as they leave the protected part ofthe network, i.e. when they arrive in the atmosphere and at the pressurethereof. The well known precipitations of certain colloids and ofcertain salts are then observed, which provokes concretions and scalingswhich are further increased by the temperature or the use of certainwashing compounds. These phenomena are all the more detrimental as, inthe domestic uses of water, it is generally the apparatus of the washingmachine, dish-washer, kettle, W.C. tank, kitchen-, toilet-, showerroom-, bathroom equipment type, in which these disorders are manifestedin the most flagrant and most detrimental manner. In particular, indish-washers and in washing machines, situations are reached such thatnot only the washing leaves everything to be desired, but also, veryoften and in particular on the dishes where this appears extremelyclearly, deposits are produced, hence the use of anti-scale,anti-calcareous, anti-deposit products or of products increasing thesalvation or the solvent power, of which the results are generally farfrom being conclusive.

Applicant's experience has shown that considerable variations in themagnetic field acted particularly favourably both on ionized particlesand on certain neutral constituents and in particular on certainmicro-organsisms. Now, such magnetic field variations may be variationsboth in the intensity of the field and, of course, in its orientation orsign, and also, in a succession of modifications of the field. Thefrequency of these modifications then performs a non-negligible role:during the displacement of an element, charged or not, the passage froma zone with relatively low magnetic field, such as for example themagnetic field of the earth, to a zone where a considerable magneticfield prevails, such as for example that created by a permanent magnetor by an electro-magnet, may cause a certain number of phenomena apartfrom the well known one resulting from Ampere's law. Experience hasdemonstrated that the bursting of certain agglomerates was observed, themobilization of constituents tending to precipitate or to decant, theinhibition of processes of development and of bacterial, microbial,viral or other biological action, such modifications being such that,contrary to what happened in the prior techniques, a certain durabilityof the properties in time may be attained. In particular, this is thecase when bacteria are inhibited. If it is imagined that a sudden changein the intensity of a magnetic field may provoke such reactions, it isobvious that a series of successive changes of the same polarity or ofopposite polarities, of changes of intensity of the alternate fieldbetween two given values or between very variable values, allow moreimportant results. Now, tests-have demonstrated that, depending on thecase, in electromagnetic waves, important actions were obtained bothwith low frequencies and with very high frequencies such as centimeterwaves for example which is, of course, in the present state of affairs,inapplicable simultaneously. In the following and in order not to createconfusion when one speaks of a "wave length", it is question of itsdefinition in the conventional sense of the term, i.e. a wave length isconsidered as the distance between two consecutive points of the samephase of a fixed (or stationary) or mobile, rectilinear undulation. Thisis understood to imply a certain relative displacement between thereference and the wave. Now, as will be seen in the present invention,this notion is applied both to magnetic fields which may be consideredas fixed in space but with respect to which a fluid is in relativedisplacement, and in cases where the magnetic field is itself inabsolute displacement but also in relative displacement with respect tothe fluid which, for its part, may possibly be stationary. Thus, as willbe seen hereinafter and in accordance with the present invention,electromagnetic low frequency and high frequency may be conciliated byacting on the relative movements of the devices creating magneticfields, and therefore the magnetic fields created on the one hand andthe fluids to be treated on the other hand.

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a processand devices for carrying out the process, for creating considerable andpossibly repetitive modifications, depending on constant or variablecriteria, which may act on neutral or charged particles. In thefollowing and to fix ideas, examples will be considered in which thefields may be considered as fixed in space and the particles mobile, aswell as cases where the particles are mobile and even possibly fixedwith respect to fields in movement. In all cases, this is translated bythe relative movement between the fluid vector of the particles and themagnetic field(s). Furthermore, "particles" will designate hereinafterany physical element, charged or not, going from the range of elementaryparticles of matter, i.e. for example electrons or ions, up to visibleparticles such as dust, powders or micro-organisms. Concerning theliving organisms, one will not enter into the details of the differentactions of the magnetic fields, which, of course, depend very largely onthe nature of the organisms considered, the majority having anelectrically neutral reaction but certain may present molecular systemsreacting to magnetic fields whether they be charged or not. For example,it has been observed that certain micro-organisms burst in certainmagnetic fields, which, of course, is the most efficient way ofinhibiting them. Experience has shown that the devices and processesaccording to the invention proved particularly efficient againstplankton and equivalents, which is of high interest both from the pointof view of the environment and in all cases where basins, fountains,swimming pools are used, and particularly in large water-treatmentinstallations and in particular sea water.

Moreover, it is obvious that fluids, in particular waters, treated bythe process and the devices according to the invention, may presentsufficiently modified physical, chemical and biological characteristicsto constitute novel industrial products. In the following, likewise,reference will generally be made to permanent magnets which constitute aparticularly economical embodiment of the majority of the devicesaccording to the invention, it being understood that the field createdby a permanent magnet may well be induced by another device and inparticular by an electromagnetic (even ferromagnetic) device. In thefollowing, this equivalence will therefore not be insisted upon exceptin the cases where one or the other of these types of embodiment mayconsiderably influence the performances of the process and of thecorresponding apparatus.

The present invention therefore essentially consists in placing magneticelements in relative movement with respect to a fluid laden withparticles, fluid and particles here being taken in the senses which wereboth defined hereinabove.

The magnetic elements may themselves be constituted by magnets, i.e.objects of magnetic material, generally ferromagnetic, capable ofcreating a sufficiently important magnetic field to cause a disturbancein a fluid laden with particles. The importance of the effects producedwill to a large extent depend on the intensity of the magnetic fieldcreated and this comes within the domain of the man skilled in the artwho will modulate the intensity or the intensities of the magnetic fieldor fields as a function of the effects which he desires to produce.Nonetheless, experience shows that the majority of the prechargedelements on the market have a sufficient effect in the majority ofcurrent applications of the present invention. These magnetic elementsmay also be in the form of micro-magnets and in particular magneticpowder fixed in a support, for example in a plastic or rubber-coatedsupport which may be a magnetic and which facilitates positioningthereof as will be seen in the examples described hereinbelow. Suchsupports are moreover henceforth found on the market due to the numberof their applications in particular in the mechanical domain. Concerningthe relative arrangement of the magnetic elements, it should be recalledthat, if two magnetic elements tend to join by their oppositepolarities, which tends to displace the lines of force of the magneticfield directly from one magnet to the other, when magnetic elements areplaced so that their ends of the same polarity approach each other,repulsion forces are indeed created which may be annihilated by thereaction of the common support but such an arrangement makes it possibleto move the lines of force apart and to cause the effects of theintensity of the field to be taken much further. This is well known, forexample, in the devices for magnetically closing household appliances.It is therefore obvious that, in the present invention, where it issought to give the magnetic field the most important role possible, theapproach of magnetic elements by their poles of the same signs mayrender, in the majority of cases, the fields much more efficient and ata greater distance from the magnetized elements which produce them.

These supports of magnetic material may be disposed on fixed parts of aninstallation in which a fluid circulates but it may also be imagined toplace them, in accordance with the present invention, on mobile partssuch as for example on rotating pump parts, on paddle wheels withpropeller or blades which may be driven by an outside system or by themovement of the fluid itself.

These magnetic elements may also be borne by necessarily mobile parts ofthe installation such as washing machine drums or dish-washer blades. Ashas already been emphasized, these magnetic elements may, of course, beborne by fixed parts of the installation on which the fluid circulates.If a line of force of a magnetic field is perpendicular to the directionof displacement of particles, the effect obtained will be maximum. Thesmaller the angle of inclination between the direction of displacementof a particle and the line of force, the smaller the effect obtainedwill itself be. There is therefore interest in causing all the fluidflow to circulate the most perpendicularly possible with respect to thelines of force, in the case of it being desired to go in the sense ofnon-scaling and the most favourable solubility. However, this subject ofangular orientation will be referred to again hereinafter.

If successive magnetic fields are used, it is obvious that, in order toobtain the most important effects, it is desirable to have successivemagnetic fields of alternate polarities. Now, as has just beenemphasized, magnetic elements of which the parts closest to one anotherare of the same polarities, create a much more effective magnetic field.It is therefore desirable if, in the series of the polaritiesencountered by a particle, two North poles are for example encountered,followed by two South poles, the passage from a North pole to a Southpole corresponding to the normal passage from one end of a magneticelement to the other. If, therefore, for example, it is desired todispose elongated magnetic elements parallel to one another and with acirculation of a fluid perpendicularly to the general direction of thesemagnetic elements, there is interest in having two magnetic elementsoriented in the same direction succeeded, in the majority of cases, bytwo magnetic elements oriented in opposite direction, so that, at eachseries of ends of these magnetic elements, successions of the typeNNSSNNSS . . . will be encountered.

If, on the contrary, it is desired to use bands of successive, parallelsupports containing small magnets, there is interest, in the samespirit, in distributing, within each band, the small magnets turned inthe same direction, i.e. with all the South poles on one side and allthe North poles on the other, and in alternating the polarities from oneband to the following parallel band so that, still with a circulation ofa fluid perpendicular to the bands, said circulation successivelyencounters two North poles, two North poles two South poles, two Southpoles, etc . . .

If such magnetic elements or such magnetic element supports and theparticles are in relative movement, these particles are subjected tosome extent to a periodical magnetic field of which the "wave length" isdirectly associated with the physical distance between bands of magneticelements with polarities oriented in the same manner. If thisarrangement is considered without taking into account the speed of thefluid, the "wave length" corresponds to the "pitch" between two supportbands. i.e. to the distance between their median axes, fixed on a commonpart of the installation. If the fluid moves, time will intervene andthe frequency of encounter of the successive magnetic fields willincrease proportionally to the speed, with the result that the frequencyand consequently the relative "wave length" may be varied as a functionof the relative speed between the fluid and the magnetic fields or themagnetic elements creating these fields. In this way, for example, amagnetic field may be available, produced by supports on the basis of a"wave length" of the order of 1 millimeter to 1 meter, i.e. wavesextending from the millimeter wave to the meter wave, wavelengths whichwill vary, as a function of the relative speed, as to the effect of themagnetic fields on the particles conveyed by the fluid.

As has already been mentioned, and in application of Ampere's laws, themore the movement of the particles is orthogonal to the lines ofmagnetic flux, the more the effect obtained is important, since it isthe sine of the angle between the direction of displacement of theparticles and the lines of magnetic flux which comes proportionally intoplay in all the calculations of the effects produced. The processaccording to the invention therefore essentially consists in causingfluids laden with particles in the sense defined hereinabove, fluids andparticles to circulate along magnetic elements and preferably asorthogonally as possible with respect to the lines of force of amagnetic field, this field being created by at least one magneticelement and, in a preferred variant of the invention, by a succession ofmagnetic elements creating periodical, preferably alternate magneticfields. As has already been emphasized, it may be imagined, within thescope of the present invention, that the elements be permanent magnetsor be elements of magnetic, for example ferromagnetic material, excitedby any adequate means, such as circuits and in particular turns throughwhich electric currents pass. It is also possible to create magneticfields by any other adequate means not necessarily employing magneticmaterials, but for example simple coils.

Experience has shown that, in the use of the devices and processesaccording to the invention, the relative displacement tends to increasethe effects of salvation, all the more so as one approachesorthogonality in this displacement, and the effects of precipitationwhen one approaches parallelism. It is therefore to be noted that if, inthe most frequent case, it is sought to avoid precipitations, one willapproach orthogonality as much as possible, bearing in mind the factthat if, in certain cases or in certain zones, it is desired to get ridof components, for example by precipitation, it suffices to organizearrangements and relative movements in order to approach parallelism. Inthis way, in the case of an oblique relative movement, depending on therelative importance of the orthogonal speed component and the parallelspeed component, one may play on one and the other plane and solvate inone direction of circulation whilst precipitating in a transversedirection.

In summary, it may be considered that the present invention principallyconcerns a process for the magnetic treatment of fluid by fluidcirculation in a magnetic field, characterized in that fluid and atleast one magnetic field are in relative displacement, any particleconveyed by the fluid being subjected to at least one importantvariation of the field, the relative trajectories of the particles beingoblique with respect to the lines of force of the fields.

According to this process, the relative trajectories of the particlesare angularly oriented with respect to the lines of force of the fieldsunder conditions which depend on the object envisaged, i.e. rathermoresolvation and non-scaling or, on the contrary, precipitation.

A relative movement is preferably provoked between the fluid and atleast one surface presenting successive magnetic elements producingsuccessive magnetic fields, so that each particle conveyed by the fluidis successively subjected to the action of the successive magneticfields produced by the successive magnetic elements.

The particles may thus be subjected to successive fields of lowintensity and of high intensity and/or to successive fields of which thepolarities alternate. The fields may be fixed and/or mobile in space.They may be created by permanent magnets and/or by electrical circuits,for example with the aid of electro-magnets . . .

An ionic solution may thus be circulated or a fluid laden withmicro-organisms, to subject them to the action of the magnetic fields.

The relative speed of circulation of the fluid with respect to thesurface presenting the successive magnetic elements may be varied inorder correlatively to vary the frequency of action of the magneticfields.

The invention also relates to the devices for carrying out the process,presenting the characteristic arrangements necessary to attain that end.Such devices for the magnetic treatment of fluid by fluid circulation ina magnetic field are therefore characterized in that fluid and at leastone magnetic field are in relative displacement, any particle conveyedby the fluid being subjected to at least one important variation of thefield, the relative trajectories of the particles being orientedangularly with respect to the lines of force of the fields and,preferably substantially orthogonal to the lines of force of the fieldsif solvation and elimination of scaling or other deposit is sought, orrathermore parallel if precipitation is rathermore sought.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to theinvention, a relative movement is provoked between the fluid and atleast one surface presenting successive magnetic elements producingsuccessive magnetic fields so that each particle constituting the fluidor conveyed thereby is successively subjected to the action of thesuccessive magnetic fields produced by the successive magnetic elements.

The particles may thus be subjected to successive fields of lowintensity and of high intensity, and/or to successive fields of whichthe polarities alternate, these fields being able to be fixed and/ormobile in space. They may be created by permanent magnets and/or byelectrical circuits, particularly by electro-magnets.

In the devices according to the invention, the relative speed ofcirculation of the fluid with respect to the surface presenting thesuccessive magnetic elements may be varied in order correlatively tovary the frequency of action of the magnetic fields. The magneticelements may be constituted by adjacent bands extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the direction of the relative movement between thefluid and said surface, the spacing of the magnetic elements of the samepolarity (N--N, S--S) preferably being included in a range of wavelengths going from the millimeter waves to the meter waves and itpreferably corresponds to a centimeter wave.

According to a preferred variant embodiment of devices according to theinvention, a support material is employed, containing adjacent andpreferably parallel magnetic elements, constituting bands of alternatepolarities (N,S). The bands constituting the magnetic elements may alsobe disposed in radiating manner about a central point or the surfacepresenting the bands constituting the magnetic elements may form a tubeinside which the fluid circulates, the magnetic bands forming successivetransverse circles.

The magnetized bands may thus successively encircle a central orifice.

The fluid may be contained in an envelope of good electricalconductivity, for example metallic, particularly stainless steel, incontact with the successive magnetic elements.

It will be noted that the devices according to the invention may alsoinclude devices in which the particles encounter the lines of force ofmagnetic field, created by magnetic elements connected to one or moresupports, with the result that the particles intersect the successivelines of force and are subjected to variations in intensity of the fieldduring the relative movement between fluid and device. A deviceaccording to the invention may present one or more surfaces covered bythe fluid in relative movement with respect to said surface, the latterbeing made of a material offering on said surface successive lines ofmagnetization at alternate polarities, one by one or two by two, andpresenting an angle with the direction of flow of the fluid along saidsurface which is as close as possible to orthogonality.

The invention also concerns the fluids treated by the process and thedevices according to the invention, in particular when they thus acquireinherent characteristics: for example, improved solvent powers may beobtained; mention may also be made of the fluids conveyingmicro-organisms which see these latter inhibited by the treatment, whichgives them specific properties as to their aseptic character. Experiencehas shown that it is thus possible to treat certain organic media and toinhibit certain evolutions provoked by the micro-organisms that theycontain, with the result that the processes and the devices according tothe invention may ensure a role of stabilizer of solutions, ofsuspensions or of organic emulsions for example.

In order to understand the technical characteristics and the advantagesof the present invention more readily, embodiments will be described, itbeing understood that they are not limiting as to their implementationand to the applications that may be made thereof.

Reference will be made to the following Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a plane device according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of a cylindrical device according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of a variant of a cylindrical device.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are schematic plan views of devices according tothe invention, provided for a flow of a fluid through a central orificein a plane, a cone or a pyramid, with downwardly turned apex.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of a conduit equipped with a device withradial plates according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view in vertical section of a device comprising abattery of parallel plates housed in a decantation tank.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view in vertical section of a decantation tankequipped with truncated devices according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective, with parts torn away, of a conduitequipped with a paddle wheel according to the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

As shown in FIG. 1, a foil, film or sheet 1, preferably of insulatingand magnetic polymer, presents adjacent transverse bands 2 of the samewidth 3, with alternate magnetic polarities. These bands 2 are chargedwith small magnets oriented alternately NS/SN, perpendicularly to theplane of the sheet 1. In other words, the successive bands 2 presentupper polar faces alternately having polarities N,S,N,S . . . and lowerpolar faces alternately having polarities S,N,S,N . . . If particles 4circulate in a fluid along the surface of sheet 1, preferably at rightangles to bands 2, they alternately encounter magnetic fields withpolarity varying periodically, of which the "half wave length" is equalto the width 3 between bands 2, i.e. to the distance between the medianaxes of successive bands 2 of opposite polarities, the "wave length"being equal to double this distance, i.e. to the distance between themedian axes of two successive bands 2 of the same polarity.

As emphasized hereinabove, the relative displacement of the particles 4with respect to the sheet 1 subjects the particles to magnetic fieldalternations in time of which the frequency increases with the relativespeed. If, for example, a sheet or foil such as 1 is placed on a slopingsurface, the bands 2 being horizontal and the fluid, for example water,which may pour thereon, flowing along the line of greatest inclination(arrow of FIG. 1), it is ascertained that the conduits which are placeddownstream for the descent of the water are virtually not scaled and, incertain cases, become descaled (if they were previously scaled).

EXAMPLE 2

As shown in FIG. 2, the foil, film or sheet 1 of FIG. 1 is wound onitself to form a tube and it is engaged, in this tubular form, inside atube 5 of internal diameter equal to the outer diameter of the tubularsheet 1. The magnetized bands 2 then form adjacent circles located insuccessive transverse planes with respect to the axis of the tubeformed. The tubular sheet 1 may be fixed on the inner wall of the tube 5by any adequate means or simply applied freely against the wall.

If water is made to circulate in the tube 5 containing the tubulardevice 1, a considerable reduction of the tendency to scaling isobserved.

EXAMPLE 3

The tubular device 1 of FIG. 2 is fixed, not directly on the inner wallof the tube 5, but concentrically, at a distance, by any adequate means.The active surface of the sheet 1 constituting the tubular device isthus doubled as well as the corresponding effect.

In the three examples above, in addition to the descaling mentioned,there was experimentally ascertained a variation in the viscosity of thewater which, after treatment according to the invention, presents anincreased fluidity and a substantial reduction in the duration ofheating necessary for reaching boiling point (reduced by 20 to 30%) wasobtained. Furthermore, this goes with a substantial increase in thesolvent power and therefore salvation. Moreover, a considerablebacterial sterilization was also ascertained.

EXAMPLE 4

A central evacuation in a plane, a cone or a pyramid, with downwardlydirected apex, may give rise to various arrangements as shown in FIGS.4A, 4B, 4C and 4D.

The device shown in FIG. 4A comprises a plane sheet 6 pierced with anopening 7 and which comprises magnetized bands 8, with alternatepolarities, extending in two perpendicular directions. The magnetizedbands 8 are joined, thus constituting squares surrounding the centralopening 7, centred on this opening and imbricated in one another. Theflow of a fluid and/or of particles to be treated is effected in thedirection of the central opening 7, in the direction of the arrows shownin FIG. 4A, transversely with respect to the various magnetized bands 8.

FIG. 4B shows a variant embodiment in which the magnetized bands 8, withalternate polarities, constitute adjacent circles centred on the opening7 that they surround, the directions of flow then being radial asillustrated by the arrows of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4C shows a variant embodiment of a device 9 in the form of afunnel, i.e. truncated. In that case, the particles and/or the fluid tobe treated are introduced substantially tangentially to the upper partof the funnel 9 so as to effect an eddying movement inside said funnel,as indicated by the arrows. The adjacent magnetized bands 10, withalternate polarities, are then constituted by successive segments,oriented along the generatrices of the frustum of cone, of the lateralwall of the funnel 9 whose lower orifice or small base 11 constitutesthe outlet orifice for the particles and/or the fluid treated.

In the preceding Examples, solvation and elimination of scaling orequivalent deposits were systematically sought. As has already beenmentioned, it is possible to play on the angular orientation of therelative displacement of the particles with respect to the lines offorce of the field.

In the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 4D, the adjacent magnetizedbands 10, with alternate polarities, of the funnel-shaped device 9, eachhave a spiral shape forming an angle with the lines of flow of the fluidmaterialized by the arrows. This angle is close to 90° if solvation issought, but, as noted above, it is possible also to seek, at leastpartially, a precipitation and one may tend more or less towards 0°depending on whether it is desired to have a more or less highproportion of precipitate and therefore a more or less low proportion ofsalvation.

EXAMPLE 5

Sheets or plates 1 according to the invention may also be used, whichare used in batteries. FIG. 5 shows a conduit 5 in which are mountedradial rigid plates or sheets 1 of which the magnetized bands 2, withalternate polarities, are transversal. This arrangement considerablyincreases the active surface and increases the effects as much. It willbe noted that the radial plates or bands 2 may extend over the whole ofthe diameter of the conduit 5 or only over part of this diameter, fromthe periphery, thus leaving the centre of the conduit clear.

EXAMPLE 6

As shown in FIG. 6, parallel plates 12 may be mounted, still inbatteries, in a decantation tank 13. This decantation tank 13 presentsan admission 14 for water to be treated, an upper partition 15 dividingthe tank 13 into two upstream and downstream parts, and allowing thewater to pass in the lower part. The plates 12 according to theinvention are mounted parallel to one another in the downstream part ofthe tank 13, at a distance above the bottom of the tank 13, theirmagnetized bands, with alternate polarities, preferably beinghorizontal, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the Figure. The treatedwater leaves in the upper part at 16 and the slurries are recovered at17 in the lower part. The results obtained experimentally with such adecantation tank are particularly noteworthy.

EXAMPLE 7

Equivalent results were obtained with devices such as the oneillustrated in FIG. 7 where constituent elements of FIG. 6 are foundagain with the same references. Here, the devices according to theinvention are constituted by one or more conical frusta 18 superposedand/or juxtaposed, convergent upwardly. The magnetized bands 19, withalternate polarities, of each conical frustum 18 are then constituted byadjacent rings of the lateral wall of the frustum of cone.

EXAMPLE 8

The device shown in FIG. 8 comprises a shaft 18 mounted to rotate aboutthe axis of a pipe 19, by means of adequate supports 20 and 21. On shaft18 is fitted an assembly of blades 22 forming a paddle-wheel which isdriven in rotation by the circulation of a fluid in the pipe 19. On eachblade, there is mounted one or more magnetized magnetic elements 23whose opposite North and South poles are adjacent the substantiallyradial edges of the blades 22. The North pole of each blade is adjacentthe North pole of the following blade and the same applies to the Southpoles. In this way, as mentioned above, the lines of force between twoadjacent North poles extend substantially normally to the planecontaining the two North poles of two successive poles and the sameapplies to the successive South poles. In this way there is obtained aseries of lines of force of alternate signs going from a pair of Northpoles, to the two adjacent South poles and thus presenting, uponcirculation of the fluid, an assembly of lines of force which are fairlyefficient, as to their action, on the particles, charged or not,conveyed by the fluid. If, in the device shown in FIG. 8, the paddlewheel constituted by the blades 22 is coaxial with the pipe 19, a devicemay well be imagined where the axis of the paddle wheel is perpendicularto the axis of the pipe 16 and where, for example, the blades 22 presentthe appearance rather of blades of bladed wheels than propeller bladesas is the case shown in FIG. 8. It is obvious that, with a device suchas that of FIG. 8, the more the circulation of fluid is rapid, the morethe mobile equipment constituted by the assembly of blades 22 rotatesrapidly since it functions a velocimeter, which increases the frequencyof action of the magnetic fields on the particles which traverse them,accordingly.

Such devices were able to be used experimentally in all cases wherescaling is a hindrance (washing machines, coffee-making machines, forexample). A substantial increase in the results were also ascertained inall agricultural domains where water distributed by the mains is usedand where the prior treatment according to the invention contributes aconsiderable improvement in the quality of the water, with the resultsfollowing therefrom and in particular an increased speed of growth and abetter vivacity of the plants. The same applies in very differenttechnical domains such as for example in building where the setting,quality and mechanical properties of the concrete, plaster or ofnumerous types of mortars, are improved by the use of water treatedaccording to the present invention.

The sterilization of micro-organisms has already been emphasizedhereinabove, which, of course, reduces the pathogenic effects of thewater treated according to the present invention.

It will be emphasized that, in all the Examples cited, the fluids to betreated are made to circulate over fixed devices. However, in accordancewith a variant, the fluid may be fixed and the magnetic elementsproducing the magnetic fields are in that case mobile with respect tothe fixed fluid. It is also possible to increase the relative speedbetween the fluid laden with particles and the device, for example bycausing to rotate in the fluid plane, cylindrical or conical devicesaccording to the invention whose magnetized bands extend alonggeneratrices.

Finally, it will be specified that the results furnished by the presentprocess and the devices for carrying it out are largely amplified whenthe fluid is contained in an envelope of good electrical conductivity incontact with the successive magnetic elements. In an advantageousvariant of the invention, an envelope of stainless steel may thus beused.

I claim:
 1. A device for the magnetic treatment of a fluid flowingthrough a working enclosure, comprising:a working enclosure having aninner surface, a flexible sheet means positioned within said workingenclosure relative to said flowing fluid through said working enclosureand having an inner surface surrounding a central opening and an outersurface proximate to the inner surface of said working enclosure, saidsheet means including adjacent magnetized band means extending coaxiallyabout an axis, said adjacent band means forming part of said sheet meansand being equally spaced apart from each other and being each of thesame width as measured in a direction parallel to said axis; whereineach of said band means contains a plurality of small magnets polarizedin a single direction normal to inner and outer surfaces of said sheetmeans, each of said band means including a first polar face means of afirst polarity and a second polar face means of a second polarityopposite said first polarity, wherein the polarity of the first polarface means of one of said band means is opposite to that of the polarityof the first polar face means of an adjacent band and the polarity ofthe second polar face means of said one band means is opposite to thatof the polarity of the second polar face means of said adjacent bandmeans.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of said sheetmeans has a diameter equal to the internal diameter of said workingenclosure and is engaged with the inner surface of the workingenclosure.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said sheet means is formedof a flexible magnetic polymer.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein saidband means includes magnetic bands formed from an insulating andmagnetic polymer, whereby said particles (4) in said fluid arecirculated at right angles to said bands (2).
 5. A method formagnetically treating a fluid comprising the steps ofproviding thedevice according to claim 1; passing a fluid through said workingenclosure and along said sheet means to magnetically treat said fluid.